Snow Attachments GT 2100 snow plow poly edge

ILLUMN8R · Dec 7, 2013

So I upgraded several things on my brand new snow blade last year and posted the details and photos on the site last year. One of the improvements I made was upgrading to a thicker wear bar, which worked ok but wore down too quickly. I just used some 3/8" bar stock that was obviously too soft for this application so I started researching what metal composition I should go with and noticed a few guys using polyethylene. I did some research on different types of poly made and found UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) to be commonly used for plow edges by the pickup plow manufacturers. I contacted a plastics company I had dealt with in the past & they happened to have some scrap pieces so I picked up a 48" long 3" high 1/2" thick piece. Tonight I used my old wear bar as a template and drilled the holes and mounted the UHMW to the plow and waxed the blade (see attached photos). I left the wear bar long on the ends for plowing along curbs. Now I am ready to test it out as we have 4" of snow forecast for Sunday!

I'll let ya know how it works.

John

ILLUMN8R · Jan 5, 2014

.... So,I've had the UHMW poly edge on my blade for a month but here in Nebraska we have been bypassed by all the snow this year. I have been reading on the forum about everyone getting seat time working (playing) in the snow, I am still holding out hope. We only got 2" when they forecast 4-6 early December and an inch last week, that's it. But I did get to test out the poly edge and I can say it has worked even better than expected, it is super quiet and doesn't catch & trip nearly as often and has worn less than the metal bar I had on last year. I was skeptical about if it would scrape down to the concrete all the way but it sure does, even when vehicles have driven over the snow and compacted it. I doubt I will ever go back to metal except for summer use moving dirt, gravel etc, I would recommend UHMW to anyone!

gogojuice · Jan 6, 2014

I picked one up from warn industries that makes plow wear bars. Sounds like you got a way better deal (scraps) than I did. I never used the metal bar before as this is my first year. However, I am pleased with it, but do want to see how many seasons it will last. I may try the horse mat sandwiched between the metal blade and the plow next time. I think it was about $100.00 for the UHMW one.

Getting hammered by snow in the last little while too

ILLUMN8R · Jan 6, 2014

Your getting snow!? LUCKY, what part of the country do you live and what snow removal equipment do you operate?
All we are getting here is this Siberian cold blast crap with gusty winds to sweeten the deal, SUCKS!
Please post some photos of you in action & if you have the means, a video would be great also.
Have fun out there but be careful, remember, your brain is your most effective safety measure.

gogojuice · Jan 6, 2014

I have never posted any pics or videos before, so that may be a challenge lol. I'm in the great white north.. (CANADA) We have lots of snow right now. In Ontario…. we are getting the blast of cold air too. The only snow removal equipment I have is a kubota bx2670 SCUT, with a FEL and the rear blade. This is my first year with all the equipment. So far so good. The only draw back has been that the rear blade makes windrows on the side. After a bit, your driveway becomes a bit smaller and I have to use the FEL to push them pack. Not a big deal at all.. Takes about 30 min.

Zick · Jan 7, 2014

I bought some UHMW from InterStatePlastics this year and have been running it on my front plow. So far I'm pretty happy with it.

I went with their reprocessed (or recycled) UHMW (by accident). Didn't realize they carried the two different ones. The reprocessed was cheaper but may not hold up as well as the virgin material.

UHMW Sheet - Black Reprocessed Plastic Sheets

I got a 24"x60"x1/2" sheet and ripped it down into 6" strips. And so far it looks like I might get 2 seasons out of each piece which should last for 8 years.

At $135 or ~$17/yr, I don't think that's too bad for a decent plow edge.

ILLUMN8R · Jan 7, 2014

Canada, well, I probably shouldn't be complaining to you then, my -15 is probably shorts & T-shirts weather compared to what you live in.
I have a rear blade also, I use it to pull snow away from buildings and vehicles & such, I use the front blade for everything else. Just be careful when blading in reverse, it's easy to bend those links if you hit something solid. I do have to plan ahead and push the snow farther back early in the season, I raise the blade some to keep from scalping the turf, haven't boxed myself in yet. You however have the luxury of a loader, you can just start digging into those stacked snow piles if needed!

ILLUMN8R · Jan 7, 2014

Zick,
As far as UHMW goes I am not sure of the differences, I have the white stuff on my blade but I have seen it in black like you have and also red and yellow. I guess I would be interested to know if it makes a difference & what color would have the most wear resistance. All I know that the white UHMW I have on this year has worn less than the 3/8" thick metal I had last year with comparable use time on it. Isn't that stuff nice to work with, it cuts and drills like balsa wood! I had to keep oil on the bit when I drilled the metal wear bar last year. I know one thing though, with the prices some of these companies get for wear bars in various materials, I will continue to make my own!